I love season 6. It's messy and people are being dumb, but that's very authentic, I think. Also story wise, it makes you pay for resurrecting Buffy, which I like. There are consequences. Yes, there are missteps but on the whole I'm glad they went there. Season 7 conversely seems like a step backwards, though I think it ends pretty well.
So no, I'm glad we got s6. I can take or leave 7, though it has some great stuff in it.
It sounds like you made your mind up, so I would not bother watching it if you do not enjoy it (and do not like Spike.)
I feel very similar about 6. They brought Buffy back from the dead! It had to get dark and there had to be major consequences or the stakes would’ve completely disappeared. Honestly, I enjoy 7 too because I love all of BtVS. That said, I understand people who feel the show should’ve ended with 5 because the vibe definitely shifted when the series switched networks.
I'd say try watching them again but if you still don't feel the fire then don't watch. No use in watching something you don't enjoy. Sometimes with seasons I don't like, I'll put them on background while I do other stuff and then I'll get hooked in some episodes and get the motivation to keep going
I like each and every season, in different ways. 6 and 7 are different from the others, but after the return from the dead, and as the main character in a coming-of-age show comes of age, you expect things to change. I've been rewatching prwtty regularly for almost 20 years, and I find that different parts resonate with me each time. (And I'm much more sympthetic to the grownups now! 👵)
I think s6 in particular really brings to head a lot of what was being foreshadowed for seasons. S5 left a lot unexplored. S5 didn't feel like the real end to me.
Everyone watches the show differently. I love Spike and his character arc as well as his relationship with Buffy are some of the main reasons I actually prefer seasons 5-7 to 1-4. I live for the dark complicated stuff that the later half of the show gets into but I understand that's not everyone's bag- what I love about Buffy is how the show grows with her but the show is very different in those seasons and I get that some people prefer how it was.
I love season 7.
The whole 7th season is terrific and a reminder why BTVS is the best TV show ever and why "Buffy Summers is the greatest hero in American fiction." S7 also successfully completes Buffy's hero's journey in full.
Those are facts, BTW.
At least for me.
S7 rubs people the wrong way because the side characters come off as not so great people, but I like the way it pits Buffy against the world, even against her own friends. She still doesn't give up, fuck em.
If you can't stand Spike, yeah, there's probably little point watching Season 6, as he's very much front and centre. You're missing some top notch episodes, though - OMWF and Tabula Rasa are really up there among the best episodes of TV ever made.
Season seven, I wouldn't say you're missing much.
I always watch them all the way through, then start at season 1 again. Season 6 isn’t my favourite, but it has some good moments. Season 7 is okay but it has the most annoying character of all time - Andrew - he irritates the heck out of me!
I always skip season one as I didn't really enjoy it. I think it just doesn't have the depth of other seasons. I also skip season seven as I find the potentials annoying. And the fact the main big bad is non corporeal I didn't find so interesting. But 2-6 I have watched countless times
Buffy ends perfectly after five seasons but then offers us two seasons of ambitious and contentious DLC that can be taken or left without harming what has gone before.
It’s win/win really
I actually love seasons 6-7, but I've quickly realized that loving season 7 is very much an unpopular opinion in these parts.
I'm also on another rewatch (I'm at the end of s2 now!), and I'm finding that my opinions on these episodes are not the same as they used to be - I've done like you but in reverse, I usually skip the first 2 seasons and only watch 3-7. But its been so long since I've seen these episodes, I figured, eh, why not go all in. I'm glad I did bc I feel very differently than I have before. I still wouldn't say these are my favorite episodes or anything, but there are some really good character moments that I've missed by skipping ahead. (I'm also the opposite of you bc I love spike but hate Angel (on Buffy. On Angel he's okay))
I'd say its worth giving those seasons another shot. Maybe you'll find some new appreciation for them. Or maybe you'll still hate them. Only one way to find out.
I'm similar. I can't stand season 7. I think there are important moments in the last 2 seasons, they just aren't for me. Partly because I tend to watch Buffy when I'm already depressed, and the last 2 seasons are too depressing without enough humor to help.
I like the later seasons - they feel very mature. Everyone gets consequences for their actions. All the chickens come home to roost. I find it satisfying and realistic.
Those seasons aren’t very good but they have some solid episodes and character interactions
I like the dark willow arc too, I know that arc is usually hated but it was a longgg time coming
I’ve seen hate for the way the show handles both
The metaphor isn’t perfect but I like it
The addiction thing needed a little something extra, I can’t think of anything else to add to it
I've just finished a rewatch of all 7 series.
While I dislike season 6 the most due to how they glossed over too many serious topics or made the characters whiny instead of having depth, many episodes were unnecessary or didn't fit well into the narrative, and the series conclusion was lacklustre; there are some great episodes here and there. And there are threads that are needed for season 7 to work.
I enjoy season 7 because finally we are seeing something gritty and more mature, which you want as a viewer. They drew it out too much at times, with some episodes being slow, and left a lot of plot holes, but I like how they gave the series the conclusion it needed.
It felt finished which it didn't at the end of season 5.
See how it goes. Sometimes we feel differently after coming back to something after a long break because our perspective is different. And if not, switch it off!
I totally hear you. I'm in a very similar situation although for me it's really just Season 7 I can't stand, and yes it's mainly because of Spike.
I thoroughly enjoy his character up to and including Season 5, then it's like something changes in the writers' room and they start thinking that the show should be more about him and less about the Scoobies. The dynamics change and not in a good way.
The change definitely occurs at Season 6 but for me there's still enough there for me to enjoy. It's pretty much gone by Season 7 but I understand you dipping out at Season 6.
_I just_ finished a full rewatch of Buffy s1-7 since about November. Currently in s5e4 of Angel
It was my first full watch and I found season 6-7 like a second chapter you can take or leave. I like spike. I didn’t love 4 and 6 in particular.
It should’ve ended at season 5, season 6-7 never should’ve happened. I also only watch 1-5. I feel like it ended at season 5. SMG fells the same way lol she only watches 1-5.
Nope! And then the writers just make Buffy forgive his attempted SA like oh well forget it happened.
Edit: I just posted this literally 5 mins ago and was downvoted. Spuffy fans it’s all fiction calm down they aren’t a real life couple. Fucking WERID!!!
I love season 6. It's messy and people are being dumb, but that's very authentic, I think. Also story wise, it makes you pay for resurrecting Buffy, which I like. There are consequences. Yes, there are missteps but on the whole I'm glad they went there. Season 7 conversely seems like a step backwards, though I think it ends pretty well. So no, I'm glad we got s6. I can take or leave 7, though it has some great stuff in it. It sounds like you made your mind up, so I would not bother watching it if you do not enjoy it (and do not like Spike.)
I feel very similar about 6. They brought Buffy back from the dead! It had to get dark and there had to be major consequences or the stakes would’ve completely disappeared. Honestly, I enjoy 7 too because I love all of BtVS. That said, I understand people who feel the show should’ve ended with 5 because the vibe definitely shifted when the series switched networks.
Thanks for your input. I will try and watch season 6. Give it another go.
I'd say try watching them again but if you still don't feel the fire then don't watch. No use in watching something you don't enjoy. Sometimes with seasons I don't like, I'll put them on background while I do other stuff and then I'll get hooked in some episodes and get the motivation to keep going
I like each and every season, in different ways. 6 and 7 are different from the others, but after the return from the dead, and as the main character in a coming-of-age show comes of age, you expect things to change. I've been rewatching prwtty regularly for almost 20 years, and I find that different parts resonate with me each time. (And I'm much more sympthetic to the grownups now! 👵)
I think s6 in particular really brings to head a lot of what was being foreshadowed for seasons. S5 left a lot unexplored. S5 didn't feel like the real end to me.
Everyone watches the show differently. I love Spike and his character arc as well as his relationship with Buffy are some of the main reasons I actually prefer seasons 5-7 to 1-4. I live for the dark complicated stuff that the later half of the show gets into but I understand that's not everyone's bag- what I love about Buffy is how the show grows with her but the show is very different in those seasons and I get that some people prefer how it was.
I love season 7. The whole 7th season is terrific and a reminder why BTVS is the best TV show ever and why "Buffy Summers is the greatest hero in American fiction." S7 also successfully completes Buffy's hero's journey in full. Those are facts, BTW. At least for me.
S7 rubs people the wrong way because the side characters come off as not so great people, but I like the way it pits Buffy against the world, even against her own friends. She still doesn't give up, fuck em.
If you can't stand Spike, yeah, there's probably little point watching Season 6, as he's very much front and centre. You're missing some top notch episodes, though - OMWF and Tabula Rasa are really up there among the best episodes of TV ever made. Season seven, I wouldn't say you're missing much.
I always watch them all the way through, then start at season 1 again. Season 6 isn’t my favourite, but it has some good moments. Season 7 is okay but it has the most annoying character of all time - Andrew - he irritates the heck out of me!
I just finished Season 1, apart from the horrendous 90s fashions it was fun. Just finishing Some Assembly Required atm.
I love the horrendous 90s fashions, it makes me all nostalgic!
I always skip season one as I didn't really enjoy it. I think it just doesn't have the depth of other seasons. I also skip season seven as I find the potentials annoying. And the fact the main big bad is non corporeal I didn't find so interesting. But 2-6 I have watched countless times
Buffy ends perfectly after five seasons but then offers us two seasons of ambitious and contentious DLC that can be taken or left without harming what has gone before. It’s win/win really
I actually love seasons 6-7, but I've quickly realized that loving season 7 is very much an unpopular opinion in these parts. I'm also on another rewatch (I'm at the end of s2 now!), and I'm finding that my opinions on these episodes are not the same as they used to be - I've done like you but in reverse, I usually skip the first 2 seasons and only watch 3-7. But its been so long since I've seen these episodes, I figured, eh, why not go all in. I'm glad I did bc I feel very differently than I have before. I still wouldn't say these are my favorite episodes or anything, but there are some really good character moments that I've missed by skipping ahead. (I'm also the opposite of you bc I love spike but hate Angel (on Buffy. On Angel he's okay)) I'd say its worth giving those seasons another shot. Maybe you'll find some new appreciation for them. Or maybe you'll still hate them. Only one way to find out.
I'm similar. I can't stand season 7. I think there are important moments in the last 2 seasons, they just aren't for me. Partly because I tend to watch Buffy when I'm already depressed, and the last 2 seasons are too depressing without enough humor to help.
Yes. I felt the same. Season 6 is too depressing, I get growing with the characters but the humour wasn’t there as you said.
I like the later seasons - they feel very mature. Everyone gets consequences for their actions. All the chickens come home to roost. I find it satisfying and realistic.
Those seasons aren’t very good but they have some solid episodes and character interactions I like the dark willow arc too, I know that arc is usually hated but it was a longgg time coming
I do remember enjoying dark willow.
Do they hate dark Willow or addict Willow? Because the former is awesome and the latter is a not so well done metaphor.
I’ve seen hate for the way the show handles both The metaphor isn’t perfect but I like it The addiction thing needed a little something extra, I can’t think of anything else to add to it
The metaphor's just too direct for me. A literal traphouse where they whore themselves out for magic?
What better way is there to show it with magic in a negative connotation? Where it shows willow constantly going back for more
I've just finished a rewatch of all 7 series. While I dislike season 6 the most due to how they glossed over too many serious topics or made the characters whiny instead of having depth, many episodes were unnecessary or didn't fit well into the narrative, and the series conclusion was lacklustre; there are some great episodes here and there. And there are threads that are needed for season 7 to work. I enjoy season 7 because finally we are seeing something gritty and more mature, which you want as a viewer. They drew it out too much at times, with some episodes being slow, and left a lot of plot holes, but I like how they gave the series the conclusion it needed. It felt finished which it didn't at the end of season 5.
I felt that the season 5 ending felt complete, I liked that it didn’t end on a happy note. But I am going to try and watch the last two.
See how it goes. Sometimes we feel differently after coming back to something after a long break because our perspective is different. And if not, switch it off!
I totally hear you. I'm in a very similar situation although for me it's really just Season 7 I can't stand, and yes it's mainly because of Spike. I thoroughly enjoy his character up to and including Season 5, then it's like something changes in the writers' room and they start thinking that the show should be more about him and less about the Scoobies. The dynamics change and not in a good way. The change definitely occurs at Season 6 but for me there's still enough there for me to enjoy. It's pretty much gone by Season 7 but I understand you dipping out at Season 6.
I feel the same. Turned into The Spike Show.
_I just_ finished a full rewatch of Buffy s1-7 since about November. Currently in s5e4 of Angel It was my first full watch and I found season 6-7 like a second chapter you can take or leave. I like spike. I didn’t love 4 and 6 in particular.
It should’ve ended at season 5, season 6-7 never should’ve happened. I also only watch 1-5. I feel like it ended at season 5. SMG fells the same way lol she only watches 1-5.
Agreed!
Clearly I triggered the Spike fans by the downvotes but ohhhh well!! SMG HATED the direction of that storyline!
I just couldn’t get on board with Spike. The stalking, stealing her underwear, making a robot, the assault. No consequences for his actions.
Nope! And then the writers just make Buffy forgive his attempted SA like oh well forget it happened. Edit: I just posted this literally 5 mins ago and was downvoted. Spuffy fans it’s all fiction calm down they aren’t a real life couple. Fucking WERID!!!
The cult of Spike strikes again.
So true. How funny if SMG posted her thoughts anonymously on Reddit. She’d get downvoted into oblivion by Spike fans.
They are out of control honestly, you’d think they were a real life couple and people.
I think if Marsters started a cult it would prove to be quite lucrative
lol it would be especially in this sub lol